The Bermondsey Murder
Formats: E-Book, Paperback
Ages: 12-15, 18+
When Patrick O’Connor went missing in August 1849, his friends were suspicious. The London dock worker was last seen in the company of Swiss-born Maria Manning and her husband in Bermondsey. By the time police officers discovered his remains under the kitchen floor, the couple had fled. This shocking crime sparked a race against time to bring these cold-blooded killers to justice. After almost a decade of unsolved murders in the capital, could Scotland Yard detectives find the murderous pair and restore public confidence in their sleuthing skills?
The search for the Mannings spread beyond England and was closely followed by the Victorian public, including prominent writers such as Charles Dickens who was haunted by the case and later immortalised some of the key characters in Bleak House, which was published just four years later. To this day, the Bermondsey Murder remains a legendary crime in the history of Scotland Yard and mid-nineteenth century London.
Reviews
'This book gives an in-depth look at the murder of Patrick O’ Conner and that of his murderers, Frederick and Maria Manning. With a very thorough take on the actual events leading up to the murder and then ending with the eventual arrest of the manning’s and the trial, which ended in their hangings. Charles Dickens was also involved in the newspaper publications, and the story of this murder, never seemed to fully leave his mind and Maria Manning’s description was also portrayed in his book, Bleak House. This is fascinating, learning the police failings, which had led to the Detective division at Scotland Yard, which is what we all know today. It is a detailed account of the murder which happened 175 years ago but is still prominent and an historical homicide. To learn of how things happened in those days and the desperate ways in which the Manning’s tried to escape their fate is mind blowing. If you love True Crime, this is a total must for you!! I found it so interesting and learning a bit of History that I did not even know. 100% recommend this book to anyone.'
'Angela Buckley's book gives a thorough, in-depth look into the Bermondsey murder from the unfortunate victim, Patrick O'Connor, to his murderers, Maria and Fredrick Manning, and their fate. I found The Bermondsey Murder an interesting book that doesn't shy away from the police failings within the case and the newspaper sensationalism led by none other than Charles Dickens. What also fascinated me was how Dickens incorporates Maria Manning into one of his characters in Bleak House, serialised only two years later. As a historical true crime lover, I thoroughly recommend The Bermondsey Murder: Scotland Yard's First Great Challenge and Dickens' Inspiration to any other true crime fan, and to those who want to read,ere the lines blur between literature and real life when an author becomes embroiled in murders and crime.'
'If you love true crime and love history, this is the perfect choice for you. The case itself makes for interesting reading, but the clever way in which the author presents the investigative approach and how this case changed police practices takes the book to the next level. Very well written with plenty of references to explore, this is a wonderful addition to anyone’s true crime library.'
